Illumination device

ABSTRACT

A portable illumination device consisting of a substantially flat concave reflector for mounting to a card or package, and including a lamp for illuminating the card or package. The reflector may also include a flat battery having a bulb receiving connector for receiving a lamp. The illumination device may be supported from a wire or string, or mounted on a vertical edge.

United States Patent Franc 1 Oct. 24, 1972 54] ILLUMINATION DEVICE2,567,687 9/1951 Benander ..240/54 A [72] Inventor. Charles Franc BOXWmfin 2,783,696 3/ 1957 Sewig ..240/1.3 X Ri New Yea, N.Y. l g 2,812,4231 H1957 Denna A X 3,463,918 8/ 1969 Franc ..240/ 10 R Filed! 19703,500,035 3/1970 Franc ..240/ 10 R 21 1 APPL No: 79 040 3,522,426 8/1970 Franc ..240/10 R Related US. Application Data PrimaryExaminer-Louis J. Capozi [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 755,303,Aug.

26, 1968, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl ..240/l0 R, 240/ 10.61,240/10.64, A portable illumination device consisting of a substan-240/52.5, 240/54 tially flat concave reflector for mounting to a card or[51] Int. Cl ..F2lb 1/02 package, and including a lamp for illuminatingthe [58] Field of Search ..240/ 1.3, 2, 6.4, 41 B, 41.35, card orpackage. The reflector may also include a flat 240/4l.6, 44, 46.49 A,52.12, 52.15, 52.2, battery having a bulb receiving connector forreceiv- 52.5, 54 A, 10, 10.61, 10.64, 103 ing a lamp. The illuminationdevice may be supported from a wire or string, or mounted on a verticaledge. [56] References Cited 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Flgures UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,898,756 2/1933 Benjamin ......240 /1.3 X

PATENTEU T 24 I97? 3. 700.879

INVENTOR. CHARLES FRANC ATTORNEY ILLUMINATION DEVICE This is acontinuation in part of application Ser. No. 755,303, filed on Aug. 26,1968 now abandoned.

This invention relates to an illumination unit particularly suitable forattachment to a flat surface such as a greeting card.

More specifically, this invention relates to an improved illuminationunit having a flat miniature battery with a bulb receiving means at oneend for receiving a miniature lamp so that the entire assembly can besecured to a flat surface.

Conventional lamps which utilize batteries generally require a batterycase surrounding the battery and a lamp socket for electricallyconnecting the lamp to the battery. This particular type of conventionalassembly in some cases is rather bulky and expensive to produce. Incertain applications, such as in greeting cards and packages, decorativeillumination sources are secured to the cards or packages before beinggiven to the receiver. In these types of illumination devices, it isessential that the illumination device be compact, extremely flat andinexpensive in cost. The illumination device then appears to become partof the package or card being presented and its bulk or thickness arehardly noticed in comparison to the pleasing decorative effect which isproduced. In certain applications, candles, wreaths, Christmas trees isand the like, can be lighted by the illumination device of the presentinvention. The addition of a substantially flat hollow reflectorsurrounding the lamp also increases the intensity of illumination andimproves the decorative effect.

It is therefore an object according to the present invention to providean illumination unit which utilizes a substantially flat battery havinga bulk receiving means for connection to a miniature lamp.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide anillumination unit which can be secured to flat objects such as packagesand cards.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide anillumination unit which is simple in design, reliable in operation andinexpensive in cost.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings which disclose embodiments of the invention.It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for thepurpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits ofthe invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the illumination unit of the subjectinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the illumination unit of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is still a further embodiment of the invention showing the use ofa self-contained power source; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flat battery and bulb of the subjectinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown one embodiment of the inventionfor attachment to a card 10 consisting of a reflector l1 constructed ofa slightly concave, partially hemispherical surface surrounding aminiature lamp 13. At the bottom of concave surface 11 is a basemounting 14 for receiving the base 16 of lamp l3. Lamp terminals 15project through the bottom of base mounting 14. Lamp 13 also includes anenlarged flange 17 which limits the insertion of the lamp within basemounting 14. Near the top of reflector 1 1 is a head portion 23 whichincludes a hook 18 having a slot 19 for receiving a support wire 12. Anadhesive 24, is deposited on the front of head portion 23 for securingreflector l1 and lamp 13 against the surface of the card. Card 10includes a transparent or translucent portion 20 preferably disposed infront of lamp 13 to permit the light from the lamp to shinetherethrough. The inside surface of reflector 11 is preferably silveredor made reflective to enchance the light produced by lamp 13. In theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3, support wire 12 may be strung horizontallyalong a vertical wall surface so that a plurality of cards 10 andillumination units 11 can be mounted side by side for display purposes.Adhesive 24 is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a backingstrip which can be pulled away when illumination unit 11 is ready formounting against card 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of the invention,wherein an enlarged prong-type fastener 21 connected on the end of shaft22 and secured to catch 18, projects through a corresponding opening incard 10. Base mounting 14 also includes a slot 31 for receiving a flatprojecting surface 30 which supports the reflector and card for display.The other elements of the embodiment of FIG. 4 are identical withrespect to those shown in FIGS. l-3. Projecting surface 30 may be thevertical edge of a display rack so that a plurality of cards 10 can bedisplayed side by side along the vertical edge.

In the embodiments of FIGS. I-3 and FIG. 4, lamps 13 may be powered byconnecting a conventional AC or DC power source to lamp terminals 15.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a still further embodiment ofthe present invention having a reflector body 40 with a concavereflective surface 47 disposed behind a flat decorative lamp 43. Lamp 43is inserted into a lamp receiving socket 47 which is integrally formedin the case of battery 46. Within lamp receiving socket 47 is disposed acontact 50 for connection to a corresponding center contact 51 disposedon the bottom of the base 48 of lamp 43. The walls of lamp receivingsocket 47 also include one contact for connection to contact 49 on thesides of lamp base 48. The entire assembly of lamp 43 and battery 46 areinserted into base mounting 42 of unit 40. The top portion 41 of unit 40includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive 44 covered by a backing orrelease strip 45 similar to that shown with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3. This will enable illumination unit 40 to be attached to apackage or flat card surface having a transparent or translucent windowfor permitting the light to decoratively shine therethrough. Lamp 43 ispreferably a flat miniature lamp and may be constructed in the form of acandle as shown in the drawings. Battery 46 is preferably a miniatureflat disposable battery having lamp receiving means 47 integrally formedon its top surface so as to eliminate the need for a lamp socket andfurther electrical connection. Reflector 11 is preferably constructedfrom inexpensive plastic material.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it should be obvious that many changes and modificationsmay be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for illuminating a gift package, greeting card, ornament orthe like, comprising:

a concave, hemi-spherical-shaped reflector, including a planar,rectangular-shaped mounting member integrally formed therewith anddisposed adjacent said reflector, having front and back planar surfaces,and a rectangular-shaped support member integrally formed with saidreflector and disposed adjacent said reflector opposite said mountingmember, said support member having a thickness approximately equal tothe depth of said reflector and including a recess opening into saidconcave reflector;

a lamp, having a glass envelope, a base, and at least one electricalcontact member extending from said base, disposed in said recessprovided in said support member so that said glass envelope of said lampis disposed in said reflector; and

means, affixed to at least one of said front and back planar surfaces ofsaid mounting member, for securing said reflector on the greeting card,gift package, ornament or the like.

2. The apparatus is recited in claim 1 wherein said securing meanscomprises a downwardly disposed planar, semi-circular hook, affixed tosaid back surface of said mounting member, and including adownwardly-opening slot, for securing said reflector to mounting meansfurther comprises a cylindrical fastener prong, affixed to said frontsurface of said mounting member opposite said hook, and disposedperpendicular to .said front surface of said mounting member, having atriangular-shaped tip affixed to the end thereof, for securing saidmounting member on the card, ornament or package, and further comprisinga vertically disposed planar projecting member, for displaying the card,ornament or gift package, and wherein said support member furthercomprises a downwardly opening slot, disposed adjacent said recess, forslidably receiving said projecting member and thereby supporting saidreflector and the gift package, card or ornament.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said recess in saidsupport member extends entirely through said support member and is openat both ends, and wherein the length of the base of said lamp is equalto at least the length of said recess in said support member, so thatsaid electrical contact disposed on the base of said lamp extendsoutwardly from said recess.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said recess in saidsupport member is rectangular shaped and is open only a its end openinto said reflector, and

further comprising a planar, rectangular-shaped battery, disposed insaid recess, said battery including a rectangular-shaped lamp receivingsocket integrally formed therewith, the positive terminal of saidbattery being disposed in said lamp receiving socket, and wherein thebase of said lamp is rectangular shaped and has external dimensionsapproximately equal to the inside dimensions of said lamp-receivingsocket, said lamp being slidably disposed in said lamp, receiving socketparallel to the longitudinal axis of said battery.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the base of said lampfurther comprises at least two semicylindrical-shaped contact members,disposed on two opposite sides of said lamp base, for engaging said lampreceiving socket when said lamp is disposed therein and electricallycoupling said lamp base to said lamp receiving socket.

1. Apparatus for illuminating a gift package, greeting card, ornament orthe like, comprising: a concave, hemi-spherical-shaped reflector,including a planar, rectangular-shaped mounting member integrally formedtherewith and disposed adjacent said reflector, having front and backplanar surfaces, and a rectangular-shaped support member integrallyformed with said reflector and disposed adjacent said reflector oppositesaid mounting member, said support member having a thicknessapproximately equal to the depth of said reflector and including arecess opening into said concave reflector; a lamp, having a glassenvelope, a base, and at least one electrical contact member extendingfrom said base, disposed in said recess provided in said support memberso that said glass envelope of said lamp is disposed in said reflector;and means, affixed to at least one of said front and back planarsurfaces of said mounting member, for securing said reflector on thegreeting card, gift package, ornament or the like.
 2. The apparatus isrecited in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a downwardlydisposed planar, semi-circular hook, affixed to said back surface ofsaid mounting member, and including a downwardly-opening slot, forsecuring said reflector to the greeting card, ornament, gift package orthe like.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said securingmeans further comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive material, affixed tosaid front surface of said mounting member opposite said hook.
 4. Theapparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said mounting means furthercomprises a cylindrical fastener prong, affixed to said front surface ofsaid mounting member opposite said hook, and disposed perpendicular tosaid front surface of said mounting member, having a triangular-shapedtip affixed to the end thereof, for securing said mounting member on thecard, ornament or package, and further comprising a vertically disposedplanar projecting member, for displaying the card, ornament or giftpackage, and wherein said support member further comprises a downwardlyopening slot, disposed adjacent said recess, for slidably receiving saidprojecting member and thereby supporting said reflector and the giftpackage, card or ornament.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 3wherein said recess in said support member extends entirely through saidsupport member and is open at both ends, and wherein the length of thebase of said lamp is equal to at least the length of said recess in saidsupport member, so that said electrical contact disposed on the base ofsaid lamp extends outwardly from said recess.
 6. The apparatus asrecited in claim 3 wherein said recess in said support member isrectangular shaped and is open only at its end open into said reflector,and further comprising a planar, rectangular-shaped battery, disposed insaid recess, said battery including a rectangular-shaped lamp receivingsocket integrally formed therewith, the positive terminal of saidbattery being disposed in said lamp receiving socket, and wherein thebase of said lamp is rectangular shaped and has external dimensionsapproximately equal to the inside dimensions of said lamp-receivingsocket, said lamp being slidably disposed in said lamp receiving socketparallel to the longitudinal axis of said battery.
 7. The apparatus asrecited in claim 6 wherein the base of said lamp further comprises atleast two semi-cylindrical-shaped contact members, disposed on twoopposite sides of said lamp base, for engaging said lamp receivingsocket when said lamp is disposed therein and electrically coupling saidlamp base to said lamp receiving socket.